Thugs chase Benue lawmakers from Assembly complex as Speaker resigns

Drama ensues at the Benue state Assembly.

Thugs stormed the Benue State House of Assembly building on Thursday and chased out the lawmakers who were having a session.

It is not clear who the sponsors of the thugs are or what their motive was.

The House had convened on Thursday to discuss the resignation of its speaker, David Iorhemba, who turned in his letter to the Clerk of the House, Torese Agena, on Thursday.

The clerk, in turn, handed the letter to the Deputy Speaker, Stephen Onmeje, who the read the letter to the members.

In the letter, Mr. Iorhemba said  he took the decision to protect the interest of his family and for other personal reasons, adding that his resignation takes effect from Wednesday.

After reading the letter, the deputy speaker invited members for comments.

A legislator, Baba Odeh, said he understood the wordings of the letter “well”, stressing that members did not have any other option than to accept the letter.

Mr. Odeh then moved a motion that the seat of the Speaker be declared vacant and be filled without delay.

Another legislator, Benjamin Adanyi, seconded the motion, saying that the former speaker did an honourable thing and ought to be commended.

Ruling on the matter, Mr. Onmeje said members had no objection to the resignation and declared the post of the speaker vacant.